30,287 copies distributed monthly – to every rural mailbox in Canterbury and the West Coast
December 2017 Edition
INSIDE Show success THIS EDITION New biocontrol
p6 Canty A&P Show Competitors in the mixed team saw competition are full of concentration during the running of the 155th annual Canterbury A&P Show in Christchurch. The three day show attracted over 100,000 people, with around 60,000 making an appearance on Show Day itself. Show Day also saw many awards handed out including the Supreme Champion Animal of Show and the Show Legend Award. To find out the winners, and more on the show, see our spread on pages 10 and 11.
p10 Harvest prep
p26 Livestock
p41
Photo: Stephen Weir
Support for Fonterra’s pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Farmers are supportive of Fonterra’s announcement that the dairy giant is aiming reduce its greenhouse gas emissions but Greenpeace claims there is a ‘gaping hole’ in the plan.
❚ by Kent caddick Fonterra has recently pledged to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030, with a long term aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Federated Farmers says it is supportive of Fonterra’s push to get to zero emissions of CO2 on the manufacturing side of the Co-operative, both in New Zealand and across its global network. Federated Farmers climate change spokesperson Andrew Hoggard said Kiwis should be proud that Fonterra and the country’s dairy farmers are prepared to step up
and pull their weight to tackle climate change. “And we await with interest to see what the contribution is that they will be making to reduce biological emissions, which whilst we have some promising options under development to control them, there is a lot of work still to be done,” Hoggard said. “The science we are attempting, to reduce the methane produced in a ruminant’s stomach, isn’t simple stuff, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to achieve these options. “Even if we do, we still face hurdles in being able to prove it at the farm level for carbon accounting.”
Hoggard said Fonterra has made these commitments based on what it aims to achieve worldwide, in its global business, not just on-farm and in factories in New Zealand. “New Zealand dairy farmers are the most emissions-efficient in the world. What we offer to the world, is the knowledge, experience and determination to improve. “Before the election Feds challenged all political parties to further invest in research efforts to reduce biological agricultural emissions, so if Fonterra is going to put additional resources into this it would be good to see the government match that,” Hoggard said.
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INTRODUCING THE STEEL
BIRD-PROOF PURLIN... Structure Wise are proud to announce the release of New Zealand’s latest engineering innovation to eliminate roosting birds in steel farm buildings and sheds.
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